Kittson County Board Proceedings Aug 1 and Aug 15

KITTSON COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS
AUGUST 1, 2023
REVISED
The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment on August 1, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Younggren. The pledge to the flag was given.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to remove from the agenda Jeanna Kujava, Kittson County Public Health.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve the August 1, 2023 agenda as amended.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Swenson and unanimously carried to amend the July 11, 2023 minutes to state that Trish Harren has rescinded her acceptance of the Kittson County Administrator position.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Gillie and unanimously carried to approve the July 18, 2023 minutes as amended.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Swenson and unanimously carried to approve the Bills and Meal Reimbursements.
Commissioner’s $127,865.49
Auditor’s May 31, 2023 $64,666.58
July 14, 2023 $2,640.83
July 21, 2023 $90,428.01
Meal Reimbursements $244.06
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve the per diems.
Leon Olson $450.00
Ryan Swenson $60.00
Loren Younggren $330.00
Paul Hajduk, MN Counties Insurance Trust (MCIT) County Administration Auditor, came to present to the Board the bi-annual MCIT report. Hajduk reminded the Commissioners that Kittson County was a charter member of the 81 counties that make up the member counties of MCIT. MCIT provides member counties with long-term, stable rates for their insurance coverage needs. Hajduk reported that the member counties 2022 Worker’s Compensation dividend was $5,000,000.00 and the 2023 dividend was $4,000,000.00. Some of the services that MCIT provides is loss control; risk management; and data security. The Commissioners thanked Hajduk for his presentation.
Discussion on the necessity to appoint an Interim County Administrator and an Interim Chief Financial Officer. Discussion was held that Harren was appointed the position at the rate of $55.00 per hour. It was noted by Administrator Buhmann that the Administrator position is not placed on the County’s salary chart. Buhmann also stated that both the appointees for the two positions also had longevity pay to consider when considering a proposed wage.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to appoint Kathy Johnson as the Interim Kittson County Administrator at $63.25 per hour. Johnson will also continue her duties as the Director of Kittson County Social Services.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gille, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to appoint Shirley Swenson as the Interim Chief Financial Officer at the band, grade and step D-61-8 at $45.63 per hour.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Swenson and unanimously carried to accept the bid from Lincoln Financial for employee life insurance. There is no cost increase for this product in 2024.
Jim Trojanowski, director of the Northwest Regional Library, appeared before the Board to ask for a 3% increase to Kittson County’s annual payment to the Northwest Regional Library. Trojanowski stated that a 3% increase was being asked of all cities in the region. He stated that the increase was necessitated by several factors: 1. They have been deficit spending for several years and need to increase their reserves. 2. They have problems recruiting employees to work part-time at the libraries and need to increase the pay for these positions. Trojanowski stated that Kittson County had 16% of the total usage of the library system and that the City of Karlstad had “exceptional usage” of their library. Trojanowski reported that there are many additional programs that Northwest Regional Library provides, such as wireless hotspots; DNR park passes to check out for a week; and many on-line programs.
Jeremy Benson, Kittson Soil and Water Conservation District, updated the Board of Commissioners on the wetland conservation issue with Wagon Wheel Ridge. It was reported that if KSWCD receives a good faith compliance restoration plan from Wagon Wheel Ridge by 12:00 midnight, KSWCD will work with them to come into compliance. If that restoration plan is not received, at 12:01 on August 2nd Wagon Wheel Ridge they are out of compliance and legal action needs to be taken. Benson asked for two actions from the Board: Action 1. Approval of a letter being sent to the Kittson County Attorney to start legal enforcement of this issue.
A motion was made by Commissioner Swenson, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to send the letter.
Action 2: If the Kittson County Attorney’s Office has a conflict of interest in this matter, to approve the necessity to seek outside legal representation elsewhere.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to seek outside legal representation if necessary.
Administrator Buhmann discussed the letter sent from Kittson County Veterans Services Officer, Wayne Jacobson. Officer Jacobson is requesting additional funding from Kittson County to support the costs for transporting our Veterans to their medical appointments. Using the 2020 Census data, it is estimated that Kittson County has 420 veterans living in our County. The request if for an annual $3.50/veteran or $1,470.00. The same request is being made to the other regional counties. These funds would help support the DAV Medical Van costs to help ensure that the medical needs of our Veterans are being met.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gilie, by Commissioner seconded Olson
and unanimously approved to send $1,470.00 to support the DAV program.
Administrator Buhmann presented Resolution #23-24 to the Board of Commissioners to remove his name as an authorized signer from the listed financial institutions.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Swenson and to adopt the following resolution: #23-24
Removal and addition of Authorized personnel on the Bank and
Investment Accounts
The Kittson County Commissioners would like to update the account resolution to see the following personnel to be removed :
County Administrator/Auditor/ Treasurer- Brian E. Buhmann
From the following financial organizations:
United Valley Bank
American Federal Bank
Prime Security Bank
Stifel Investments
Wells Fargo Advisors
Wells Fargo Securities
Effective August 2, 2023
Adding as authorized signature Shirley Swenson on to the American Federal Bank Accounts
Administrator Buhmann brought to the Board the necessity for the Board to rescind the sale of the tax forfeited automobile and decide how to relist the vehicle.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously approved to accept the rescindment of the bid for the tax forfeited vehicle and to ask the next highest bidder if they would like to purchase the car. If the second highest bidder declines to buy the car at their stated price, the car will be reposted for new bidding.
Administrator Buhmann reported on the discussion topics of the July 28th workshop which included the requests for raising a township road and cleaning a township ditch. Buhmann also reported that a 2024 budget workshop will be held on August 2nd, with additional workshops being help on August 8th, 22nd, and 29th. Topics will include the Tyler Credit Card Contract Amendment; discussion on developing a policy concerning cannabis use and employee usage; and Tax Forfeited Property.
Commissioner Gillie reported that she attended a meeting at Alluma where a presentation was delivered emphasizing Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity. A demonstration of presenting services in different languages emphasized the barriers new Americans encounter when seeking services. Commissioner Olson reported he attended a meeting on northern land use. Commissioner Younggren reported that the Kittson County Opioid Task Force had a booth at the County Fair that was well received by those attending the fair. Commissioners Kraulik and Swenson had no reports.
Loren Younggren,
Kittson County Board Chair
ATTEST: Kathy Johnson,
Interim Kittson County Administrator
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kittson county board proceedings
August 15, 2023

The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment on August 15, 2023 at 9:03 a.m.
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Younggren. The pledge to the flag was given.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Swenson and unanimously carried to approve the August 15, 2023 agenda as presented.
A motion was made by Commissioner Swenson, seconded by Commissioner Gillie and unanimously carried to approve the August 1, 2023 minutes as presented.
In reviewing the Bills, Commissioner Swenson stated in Dept. 005, Line 2 states that he received payment for a “Beaver Bounty”, which he stated was incorrect. CFO Swenson stated that the description should instead read “Mileage”. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson to approve the bills with that correction, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve the bills as corrected.
Commissioner’s $155,212.51
Auditor’s 7/31 $177,488.05
The August 15th Meal Reimbursements were tabled as they could not be presented to the Board due to printer issues. They were tabled to the September 5th board meeting.
Kittson Healthcare Center (KHC) staff members Andrea Swenson, CEO ; Curtis Bach, CFO; and Jeanna Kujava, Director, Kittson Public Health came before the board to discuss the unique relationship between KHC and the County. Swenson reported that the fiscal situation of KHC has stabilized, and they did not need to move forward with previously discussed revenue funding streams at this time. It was noted by Swenson that KHC has three (3) contracts for different programs with the County, and they purposed to reduce the number of contracts to one (1) contract for ease of discussion and contract management. The Commissioners agreed to this proposal and to meet with KHC representatives to standardize the partnership and to better define the relationships in the different program areas KHC administrates for the County. Of noted concern by KHC staff was the financial sustainability of the Home Health & Public Health programs. Swenson reported that it may be necessary to ask the County for more funding to support the management and delivery of these programs.
Cindy Adams came before the Board to present the Kittson County Historical Society’s 2024 budget request for consideration. Adams stated that the 2024 request is $70,720.00; a $1,700.00 increase from the 2023 budget request. Adams also mentioned that Prairie Public Television has contacted her about doing a story on the Kittson County Museum and Historical Society.
Kathy Johnson, Interim County Administrator, reported to the Board that she, along with Commissioners Younggren and Olson, had contacted John Kolb, Rinke Noonan Law firm, about representing the County in a wetlands violation that has reached the necessity for formal court action. Kolb stated that his firm was not able to assist Kittson County in this case. Kolb suggested that Kittson County should seek assistance from neighboring county attorneys, due to Kittson County Attorney’s office needing to recuse itself in this matter. Johnson stated that the Roseau County Attorney had to decline from taking the case. Johnson asked permission from the Board to seek private attorneys should all the neighboring county attorney’s decline to assist in prosecuting the case.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to allow Johnson to seek outside counsel if necessary.
Sheriff Matt Vig appeared before the Board to update them on illegal border crossings by car at two points along the Canadian/U.S./Kittson County Borders. Sheriff Vig had presented this issue at their August 8th workshop meeting. As the workshop is an open meeting but not an “official” meeting, no official vote could be taken at that time. Sheriff Vig stated that although there had been another breach of the border by car, which had resulted in a car chase, there seemed to be no further crossings. Sheriff Vig asked for permission from the Board to purchase concrete barriers and install them at the two crossing points, should he think it was necessary.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve $6,000.00 for the purchase of concrete barriers and installation costs to secure the two crossing areas.
Johnson presented two requests from Lance Henrickson, IT Director, for a work cell phone and a door from the hallway directly into his office.
A motion was made by Gillie, seconded by Swenson, and unanimously carried to buy a work cell phone for the IT Department.
A motion was made by Swenson, seconded by Gillie, and unanimously carried to hire a carpenter to install a new doorway for the IT office.
Shirley Swenson, CFO, presented for renewal the Marco Copier Contract. The contract is for $2,219.00 per month. A decrease of $178.00 per month.
A motion was made by Olson, seconded by Swenson, and unanimously carried to sign the copier contract with Marco.
Resident Scott Nelson was present and stated his frustrations with the length of time it was taking to have a decision made on his permit to clean a ditch in McKinley Township. As McKinley is an unorganized township and the County Board acts as its governing body, it was decided that a special meeting for McKinley Township would need to be posted to discuss this issue further. The Commissioners did agree that they would ask for a survey to be done of the ditch in question.
Commissioner Gille reported that she had attended the board meeting for Land of the Dancing Sky. She stated the grant funds they had received for 2023 totaled $635,000.00, but the funding requests were for $1,129,000.00. There were no additional reports from the commissioners.
Interim County Administrator Kathy Johnson updated the Board on her discussions with Soil & Water personnel concerning wetland issues; stated the county had received the MCIT dividend of $18,647.00; that a letter had been sent to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg in support of the PROTECT Grant Program for the Highway 11 corridor; and that work on the 2024 budget continues.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
Loren Younggren,
Kittson County Board Chair
ATTEST: Kathy Johnson,
Kittson County Interim Administrator
(September 13, 2023)
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